At the outset of the 1950s, a group of University of Montana students founded a club for the promotion of Native American issues and collaborative support within the student body. Throughout the following decades, the club continued to expand and gain traction on campus. By the mid 1960s, the group was established as an official university club. As a homage to the university’s mascot, the group fittingly landed on “Kyi-Yo”—the Blackfoot term for “bear”—as the name of their guild.
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That was just the beginning. By 1968, a university committee proposed and successfully established a course on American Indian culture and history. By 1969, an entire program was constructed and suitable faculty was being hired. Today, the University of Montana boasts the most substantial Native American student population in the Montana University System. The Kyiyo Native American Student Association offers periodic extracurriculars to involve both students and faculty in celebrating and supporting cultural diversity on campus. Kyiyo is welcoming of all: students, non-students and individuals from all ethnic backgrounds.
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Mission Statement of the Kyiyo Native American Student Association
The purpose of our organization is to bridge the faculty and students of the University of Montana with the communities of Missoula and surrounding areas. Through extracurricular activities and community building, we will engage others in our cultural traditions in order to unify and promote the cultural identity of American Indians/Alaska Natives.
Photo Courtesy of Glacier Country
The Annual Kyiyo Pow Wow is one of the most time-honored traditions of the Kyiyo — and by far its biggest! Since the 1968 inaugural event, the Kyiyo Native American Student Association has hosted one of the oldest and most sizable student-led powwows nationwide. Every April, the two-day event at the Adams Center welcomes thousands of locals, visitors, participants and viewers from far and wide to witness the impressive celebration.
Photo Courtesy of Glacier Country
The sheer size of the event—which regularly draws as many as 5,000 attendees—serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of indigenous communities, who have preserved their traditions despite centuries of adversity. Originally held as a gathering for spiritual renewal, the Kyiyo Pow Wow has evolved into the celebration of culture it is today, one featuring music, dance, art and camaraderie.
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"The celebration is a time to preserve the rich heritage of Native Americans and renew the thoughts of the old traditions. Each year, our Pow Wow continues to grow, which shows the power of our people and leaves the message that our culture will never die out."
Kyiyo Native American Student Association
At the heart of the Kyiyo Pow Wow is the drum—a sacred rhythmic pulse sets the tone for the festivities, guiding dancers as they perform traditional dances passed down through generations. Traditional dance serves as a powerful expression of identity, with participants paying homage to their ancestors, keeping their legacy alive for future generations. Artistic talents are highlighted through traditional crafts, such as the beadwork and jewelry donned by participants. Each beat, movement and song carries with it a sense of connection to the past, uniting participants in a shared experience of culture and heritage.
Photo Courtesy of Glacier Country
Above all, the Kyiyo Pow Wow is a celebration of community and unity. It brings together people from diverse backgrounds, forging bonds of friendship and understanding that transcend cultural boundaries. In a world often divided by differences, the powwow serves as a reminder of the power of shared traditions to unite and inspire. The Kyiyo Pow Wow is a truly momentous celebration of tradition, culture and the enduring spirit of Indigenous Persons everywhere.
We'll see you there! For more information, check out our events calendar.
